A Gator basketball team that lacks depth, can’t shoot, and has not made the NCAA tournament in 2 years would not make you think of one of Billy Donovan’s best coaching years. His teams have faded in February the last 2 years and they have struggled once they get into league play. Even with all of these factors, Billy Donovan has put together one of his most impressive coaching seasons of his 14 years at the University of Florida.

On February 10th, it looked like the same story all over again for the Florida Gators. The Gators blew a second half lead and ended up with a lost in a game to South Carolina Three days later, they were dominated by the Xavier Musketeers. The team looked tired, exhausted, and a bit over matched. They appeared that they were bound for another NIT postseason. Something is different about this team though. They are tough and they have learned how to battle it out. This team continues to improve as the season goes on and it is very apparent. Chandler Parsons and Vernon Macklin are finally starting to live up to their potential as they are giving the Gators big lifts in huge games. The Gators have won their last three SEC games and they have put themselves into position to still finish second in the SEC east. They have looked to lock up a NCAA Tournament bid with their big win over Tennessee last night.

Billy has somehow found ways to keep Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton fresh when they are the only true guards that play in the rotation. He has adapted his typical 3 point shooting and fast paced style to a inside more dribble and drive game after this team proved it wasn’t going to light it up from the arc. While Billy is not Billy the kid anymore he is still relatively young and he is one of the best coaches in college basketball.

By: Calvin McDermid